Region set for brush with storm

NEWBURYPORT — Local and state officials spent yesterday preparing for the worst-case scenario stemming from the largest hurricane-related storm to hit the state in 20 years, which could bring 85 mph gusts to Cape Cod and flooding and tropical storm-force winds across Eastern Massachusetts.

The first signs of the hurricane, which was downgraded to a Category 3 as it passed over North Carolina's Outer Banks last night, are expected to arrive by midday today in the form of rain.

However, unlike last week's lingering nor'easter, the storm will do its damage quickly, ramping up after dark and being gone by sunrise.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency issued an alert yesterday warning that areas across Eastern Massachusetts should be prepared for 2 to 4 inches of rain, with some spots getting as many as six inches overnight. Winds gusts in the area could reach 40 mph, and a storm surge as high as 2 feet could impact coastal areas.

The fear is if the storm's track takes an unexpected shift slightly to the west, far greater impacts could be felt.

"This is the strongest hurricane to threaten the Northeast and New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991," said Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center.

Much of New England should expect strong, gusty winds, much like a nor'easter, along with fallen trees and downed power lines, forecasters said.

With the Cape and Islands region bracing for the worst of the storm, Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday called a statewide State of Emergency.

Yesterday, Newburyport leaders again urged all city residents to sign up for the Reverse 911 phone alert system, including with their cell phones, in case electricity goes out during Hurricane Earl.

The city is urging all Plum Islands residents in particular to do so, including those on the Newbury end, Mayor Donna Holaday said.

Holaday met with a range of city officials, as well as the Coast Guard and Salvation Army, yesterday morning to discuss plans and preparations.

The city's Reverse 911 database was compiled by entering residents' phone numbers listed in the White Pages. But since many people have unlisted phone numbers or use cell phones exclusively, the database is incomplete. Residents can register for the Reverse 911 system by visiting the Police Department's website, newburyportpolice.com, or the city's website, cityofnewburyport.com.

The Red Cross is prepared to set up a shelter at the Brown School, the mayor said, and the Salvation Army will open their doors as well, in particular for the elderly. Residents are asked to secure their properties by bringing inside lawn furniture and other items.

Holaday said city leaders have been encouraging residents who are scared or worried about their location, such as those on Plum Island who may be concerned, to make arrangements to go elsewhere, such as to a family member's or friend's home.

With National Grid employees being moved to the Cape, which is slated to get hit harder than here, Holaday said it may take time for employees to arrive from other states. Additional Department of Public Services crews are preparing to be called in. DPS has removed trees that were a concern for the strong winds, and drainage pipes are being repaired in case of flooding, the mayor said.

State officials say they will also be monitoring more than 100 dams in Eastern Massachusetts that are categorized as "high hazard" or "significant hazard," meaning there could be loss of life or property downstream if they failed.

Locally, there are six dams that fall into those categories, four of which are in Amesbury — the Tuxbury Pond and Lake Gardner dams, the Bailey's Pond dam and the Clark's Pond dam.

Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer did not return a phone call regarding the town's storm preparations and plans for safeguarding the dams and nearby property.

The other dams listed from the region are the privately owned Jewel Mill Dam in Rowley and the town-owned Pentucket Pond Outlet Dam in Georgetown.

Seacoast towns will be watching for the expected storm surge. Seabrook Emergency Management director Joe Titone said there will be a patrol along the beach with the Police Department's ATV and extra firefighters tonight to Saturday morning.

Seabrook Public Works director John Starkey's men will also be ready.

"We're bringing in (trash barrels) from our parks and playgrounds and cemeteries," Starkey said yesterday. "We're getting barricades and signs ready. We've checked all our (emergency) generators, filling up all our trucks with gas."

Titone said, if necessary, the Red Cross is also preparing to open a shelter for the region at Winnacunnet High School.

In Salisbury, the situation is similar, according to Emergency Management director Bob Cook, who's going through the emergency preparedness list. For example, he said, Salisbury Beach Partnership officials were asked to take down the bandstand and benches at the end of Broadway to prevent them from becoming missiles when high winds hit.

Forecasters said a kink in the jet stream over the eastern U.S. should push the storm away from the coast.

Earl is expected to move north-northeast for much of today, staying away from New Jersey and the other mid-Atlantic states, but also passing very close to Long Island, Cape Cod and Nantucket, which could get gusts up to 100 mph. The storm is expected to finally move ashore in Canada sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Cooler air will move in behind the storm, bringing temperatures down to the 50s by tomorrow night.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Rain, gusty winds expected to blow through overnight

Site Map

Contact Us